How To Save On Family Ski Vacation

Book in Advance

You can reap major discounts during early bird ski vacation sales! These deals usually begin popping up everywhere in Autumn but they do pass quickly. Take advantage of these sales before ski season commences as these premium pricing opportunities will be gone before you know it. Thanksgiving usually marks the end of these major ski resort discounts.

Book During Off-Peak Times

Ski season usually lasts between four to six months. This time frame does depend on the location of which you want to ski but almost all resorts are open from the middle of November through the end of April. Generally, ski resort prices are the highest during active snowfalls i.e. the coldest months of the year as well as during school time breaks. Thus, you can usually catch a good priced bundle during mid March as the weather will be warmer and the snow will be packed. Although you won't be skiing on fresh powder you will be saving big with 40% off lift tickets and lodging. Heck you may even get free daily breakfast thrown in! Keep in mind as weather varies, so does resort rates, and they have the ability to both fluctuate wildly throughout the duration of ski season. You can typically ski for much less during New Years or the week of Presidents Day. Do not underestimate the power of a good deal and artificial snow.

Ski Midweek

Weekend lift and lodging tickets will always be more expensive than those sold from Monday through Thursday. Weekday tickets are pretty much half the price! However, saving money is not the only benefit of skiing midweek as you will also experience less crowds, less people in group ski lessons, and shorter lift lines. Midweek skiing is deemed a win-win situation.

Take Advantage of Tourism

There are several tourism associations hired by major ski resorts in order to promote their lifts and lodges. These tourism websites are great money saving resources as they offer discounts for popular ski resorts like Ski Oregon, Ski New Hampshire, Ski Vermont, SKi Utah, and Colorado Ski Country USA that are not available anywhere else.

Kids Ride For Free

There are numerous family friendly ski resorts that promote letting kids ride the ski lifts for free with the purchase of any adult lift ticket. In the Colorado Rockies at Steamboat Springs, kids 12 and under are welcomed to ride for free with any 5 day adult ticket, in Montana at Big Sky Resort, all kids 10 and under ski for free any day of the week, and in North Carolina at Cataloochee Ski, kids 17 and under are welcomed to see for free as well.

Look for Kids' Free Airfare

If you are not within driving distance of a ski resort then look for kids' free airline deals that will provide free airline tickets for children with the purchase of a family ski vacation. Resort vacation packages often offer freebies that play into their great prices and lodging deals.

Get a Grade School Passport

Several states offer grade school children a free or discounted skiing pass if they can legally prove their current school grade. Passports will get your child a free three day lift ticket within participating ski resorts.

Utilize Deal Finding Websites

Deal finding websites otherwise known as watchdogs are a great way to save money on lift tickets and lodging. Make sure to check out the following websites for deals on ski resorts throughout the country: Liftopia, SkiCoupons, Discount Lift Tickets, and GetskiTickets.com.

Scope out Rental Equipment Sales

It is a good idea to check out rental equipment prices prior to departing on your trip. Pre booking your gear can potentially save you 20% off your overall rental fee. Compare your actual ski resort rental prices with the ones your find on SkiCoupons.com as well. SkiCoupons.com offers hundreds of coupons that can save you anywhere between 10% to 30% off your rental gear. If you can, bring your own helmets! At Walmart a good ski helmet will cost you between $30 to $40 dollars and at a $10 to $15 dollar per day rental fee, purchasing your own gear may save you money in the long run.

Do What the Locals Do

Ski bums never pay full price. They are aware of all the local deals taking place at nearby ski shops and supermarkets. These mom and pop owned locations are known for selling lift tickets at $10 dollars off and other deals in the like. Try purchasing a coupon filled entertainment booklet to the ski area you are planning to visit next. Awesome ski locations like Utah, Denver, and Vermont all utilize these types of booklets and offer great deals inside. You will find discount deals on ski equipment rentals, lift tickets, and dining, among several other amazing deals.